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Reasons We Don’t Want a NYS Constitutional Convention in 2017

Joan Perini of NYSUT has written a letter to all NYSUT member about the proposal for a New York State Constitutional Convention and what it would mean to NYSUT members. She states:

We need to understand what is at stake and what you can do to help. For one thing, let your fellow retirees know about the plans for a 2017 convention and what the proposed changes would mean to them. A good example of a negative issue that could be raised has to do with pension rights. Currently it states that once hired as a public employee and told your pension rights, your pension can never be diminished or

Higher-ed advocates to call on state Legislature to provide long-term funding for SUNY and CUNY campuses.

A coalition of labor unions will join with the state Senate and Assembly Higher Education Committee chairs Monday to urge that lawmakers include in the forthcoming state budget ‘Maintenance of Effort’ funding to enable State University of New York and City University of New York campuses —which for years have been hamstrung by cuts in aid — to cover basic operating costs.

Representatives from New York State United Teachers, United University Professions, the Professional Staff Congress and

Right now in Washington, members of Congress are attempting to divide the American people over Social Security – pitting current and future retirees against people with disabilities.

We must fight back!

Please read the following message from Richard Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans & sign the petition today!.

This week, Social Security celebrates its 80th birthday. And thanks to you, we are changing the national conversation around earned benefits away from cuts toward one of expansion. In fact, 79% of likely voters – Democrats, Republicans and Independents –

Vote Tuesday May 19

Tuesday, May 19th is the vote for School Budget and Board of Education Members in all New York State school districts. Support Education and vote in your home district.

NYSUT: We need to fix this broken system to help all students

ALBANY, N.Y. April 2, 2015 — New York State United Teachers President Karen E. Magee today released the following statement in response to Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch’s suggestion that high-performing school districts could be exempted from the new teacher evaluation system:

"This is yet another example showing why the governor’s toxic education plan is top down and unworkable. Instead of doing everything possible to recruit, support and keep great teachers for students burdened by poverty, he’s boxing them in with test and punish. Now the chancellor seems to be floating a ‘yacht’

NYSUT asks Members to Call State Senators NOW!!!!

NYSUT is asking everyone to call members of the New York State Senator NOW!!!

Senator Dean Skelos, Republican representing New York Senate District 9 in Nassau Country. recently made some damaging comments, criticizing the Assembly for "carrying NYSUT/UFT water."

Pressure needs to be applied to members of the Senate, and NYSUT is asking members to call and ask Senators to:

Continue to reject harmful due process changes to 3020-a

Reject tying tenure to teacher evaluation

Reject any increase in testing

Reject any loss of collective bargaining rights

Senator's Albany and Home District Phone Numbers

Stand With the Two-thirds of New Yorkers Who Reject the Governor's Education Proposals

NYSUT members need to make sure that Assembly Democrats stand firm during budget negotiation.

SENATE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS_1.pdf

#ProtectOurSchools Rally

If you are in the vicinity of New York City next weekend, you are encouraged to attend a large rally planned on Saturday, March 28th at noon-outside the governor's Midtown District Office, located on 633 3rd Avenue at East 41st Street. Download the Event Flyer.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE – DENNIS FLAMENBAUM

NYSUT President Karen Magee has called for mobilization to support public education which is under attack once again by Governor Cuomo. Cuomo’s proposed budget for 2015-2016 comprises a frightful anti-public education agenda that relentlessly attacks teachers and hurts students. The under- funding of public schools, SUNY, CUNY, Community Colleges and trying to make permanent the undemocratic tax cap, along with a back-door voucher scheme for charter schools all drain financial support for public education. This may suit his billionaire packers, but certainly hurts public education.

Cuom

Join us in fighting back. New York State Allies for Public Education (NYSAPE), a coalition of 50 groups statewide, has sent a letter to the governor responding to the offensive, outrageous education questions he circulated in December.

Now we need to support NYSAPE and let lawmakers and education leaders know that the governor's education agenda is misguided, dangerous and bad for New York students.

Take action now to tell lawmakers and other education leaders that you support NYSAPE and oppose the governor's misguided, dangerous education agenda.